The $2.7 billion State Employees Credit Union of Linthicum, Md., will pay $4.75 million over the next 10 years for the naming rights at Towson University's new, 5,200-seat arena.

SECU Arena will provide Maryland's largest state-chartered credit union with marketing opportunities to reach young prospective members during athletic events. With nearly 22,000 students, Towson University is among the largest public universities in Maryland, just outside of Baltimore.

In addition to SECU signage throughout the $68 million arena which opened in May, the deal gives SECU access to one of the venue's two large corporate suites and multipurpose rooms. The credit union will operate a new welcome center, a SECU information center and new full-service ATMs, said Gay Pinder, director of media relations at Towson University.

“We are excited about this new partnership with a highly respected Maryland institution of higher education that shares our values and our commitment to excellence. This agreement transcends simply putting the SECU name on the university's new arena,” said Rod Staatz, SECU's president/CEO.

“This is a 360-degree relationship that will allow us to become integral partners with the university—including its students, alumni, and faculty, as well as the residents in the region—in ways that simply have not been available before,” Staatz said.

SECU said it will also increase its current efforts to provide education and resources to Towson University students on financial literacy and money management. For example, SECU will offer financial presentations and information for students and their parents during the university's freshmen orientation.

SECU Arena houses four premium mezzanine level private suites, approximately 340 premium club seats around the top of the lower bowl, and 120 courtside seats. It also has a 1,500-square foot hospitality room, a 680-square foot multipurpose room on the mezzanine, and an 800-square foot team store on the concourse level. The new arena features a four-level, center-hung scoreboard along with a “more than 360-degree” video fascia display, the university said.

SECU is among a number of credit unions around the country that have bought naming rights for a variety of venues, from ballparks to theaters to carousels.

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Maryland SECU Buys Arena Naming Rights

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